Asia takes lead in race for interim deals to avoid Trump tariffs
Asian economies geared for exports and facing some of the highest US “reciprocal” tariffs are leading the way over their western counterparts in trade...
IMF: Philippines has room to improve tax efficiency
THE Philippines still has room to implement reforms to enhance its taxation system and make collections more efficient, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said.
Palace eyes ‘favorable’ trade deal with US as PHL officials negotiate tariffs
THE Philippines expects to close a favorable deal with the United States, the presidential palace said on Monday, as key officials travel to Washington on April 29 to negotiate the 17% reciprocal tariff imposed by President Donald J. Trump as part of a global trade war that puts economic growth, jobs and wages at risk.
PHL likely to reach upper middle-income economy status by ’27
THE PHILIPPINES is more likely to achieve upper middle-income status by 2027, a year later than the government’s target, given the current growth prospects, the World Bank said.
Infrastructure spending jumps 23%
STATE SPENDING on infrastructure rose by 23.1% in the first two months of 2025, as the government ramped up disbursements for public works projects ahead of the election ban, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said.
Tariff war shows Asian nations need new trade partners: ADB head
Asian countries should diversify their trading partners and boost domestic demand to ensure they can ride out the current global trade war, the head...
Philippines’ IT-BPM sector to cross $40B in revenues this year
THE Philippine information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) sector is projected to generate over $40 billion in revenues this year amid sustained global demand, according to an industry group.
Modest growth in farm output seen in 1st quarter
THE PHILIPPINES’ agricultural output may have posted modest annual growth in the first quarter, as the crops sector benefited from favorable weather conditions, analysts...
DoF withdraws proposal to hike capital gains tax
FINANCE Secretary Ralph G. Recto has withdrawn the Department of Finance’s (DoF) proposal to increase capital gains tax, donor’s tax and estate tax, citing higher revenue collections in the first quarter.
Fitch Ratings affirms PHL ‘BBB’ rating
FITCH RATINGS affirmed the Philippines’ investment grade rating and kept its “stable” outlook amid the country’s strong growth prospects and minimal exposure to trade tensions.
Balisacan says tariff impact ‘very minimal’
THE IMPACT of the US reciprocal tariffs on the Philippines will likely be minimal, the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) said, but...
DoTr hopes to privatize 15 more airports by 2026
THE Department of Transportation (DoTr) is hoping to privatize at least 15 airports by 2026 as the government seeks to make regional airports “more economically viable.”